Kasuga Shrine is a popular Shinto shrine and has become increasingly
popular to tourists and even the locals of Japan because of its breathtaking
bronze and stone lanterns accessorizing almost all areas of the temple.
Kasuga shrine is located at the far end, northeast of Nara Park, about a
25-30 minute walk from Toda-ji. The shrine is considered as one of the most
valuable shrines in Nara prefecture and is a member of the Three Great
Shrines in the entire Japan. The Shrine is a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.

Kasuga is a Shinto shrine is located and was
purposefully chosen inside a grove of trees. Shinto is deeply connected with
nature and it very relaxing walk.

On our way to the Kasuga shrine, we passed by a
Koi pond and a traditional Japanese house but it is not open to the public.

There are a total of 3000 stone lanterns scattered along the way to the
shrine

The long path leading up to the shrine takes you
through a fascinating landscape of woods interspersed with thousands of tall
stone lanterns covered in moss and lichen

The 3000 lanterns are symbolic of the 3000 Kasuga
shrines spread throughout Japan and lanterns are a symbol of illumination, a
guiding light. If you follow Shinto religiously, you will be saved from
darkness.

Through the winding path there are various
sizes of stone lanterns.

A red torii gate in the center surrounded by
stone lanterns.Each lantern is donated by a citizen to show
thanks and support to the shrine. Writing on each lantern shows which deity
the lantern is donated to, or the personís name that donated the lantern.

Sacred Deer statue with the Temizuya Fountain
where people can wash their hand and rise their mouth.

More lanterns along the way....

A deer roaming among tourists...

Small Wooden Memorial donor plaques are on display for
people to read.

The entrance to the shrine.

Kasuga Taisha Torii gate.

The closer you get the shrine you will
see more and more lanterns.

2 young ladies dressed in Japanese clothing. They
looked like they came from a movie set.

Deer are every where... Really cute, here they are popping out between the
lanterns for people to take their pictures.

Stairs leading to the shrine.

Before entering the shrine on the left hand side a bunch of stone lanterns are
on display.

It is really pretty especially with the cherry blossoms above the lanterns.

Bronze lanterns in front of Kasuga shrine. In the back
ground you can also see lots of bronze lanterns hanging from the ceiling.

From the porch of the shrine are bronze lanterns hanging
from the ceiling... There are so many of them.

Nara park is really huge and we have been walking for at
least 4-5 hours now... Pretty exhausted so we are resting a bit!

We found this small vendor and stop by for a quick
lunch!

We ordered some Takoyaki, fried octopus balls and some ramen...It is not very
good, way too salty. We had some at the Electronic area and they were a
lot better.